Off meter tolls?
May 10, 2017 2:18 AM Subscribe
A few times recently in Sydney and Melbourne, at the end of a trip the taxi driver has turned off the meter, then said I need to pay that value plus say $4 in tolls.
Is this usual?
In each case we did use a toll road, but I've travelled the same routes with other drivers regularly and requesting an unmetered toll fee seems to be an exception - usually it's just a matter of paying the metered fee.
Am I just being paranoid and unfair that this may be a scam of some kind? In each case I've just paid what was asked and moved on, but I was left with a slightly suss feeling.
In each case we did use a toll road, but I've travelled the same routes with other drivers regularly and requesting an unmetered toll fee seems to be an exception - usually it's just a matter of paying the metered fee.
Am I just being paranoid and unfair that this may be a scam of some kind? In each case I've just paid what was asked and moved on, but I was left with a slightly suss feeling.
Yep, usual in Melbourne: 'Taxi fares vary based on distance, location and time of travel. Additional charges apply if you travel on some public holidays, book in advance, make an electronic payment, use toll roads, or in a vehicle with five or more passengers [...] EastLink and CityLink toll fees are charged in addition to the metered fare. Taxi drivers must give you the choice of whether you want to use CityLink or EastLink en-route to your destination. Toll fees are shown on labels inside the taxi' (source).
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 3:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 3:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
This is normal in Australia. There is a sticker on the inside of the taxi window stating what the various tolls could be for different toll roads.
posted by dave99 at 4:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by dave99 at 4:33 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Okay - so in what cases would some drivers request additional payment for these tolls, but not others? Is it a billing system issue?
posted by chmmr at 6:28 AM on May 10, 2017
posted by chmmr at 6:28 AM on May 10, 2017
so in what cases would some drivers request additional payment for these tolls, but not others? Is it a billing system issue?
At the risk of stating the obvious - are you comparing two absolutely identical trips in terms of route and rush hour/non rush hour when you say 'sometimes they charge, sometimes they don't'? Because that is clearly a factor.
posted by Brockles at 7:48 AM on May 10, 2017
At the risk of stating the obvious - are you comparing two absolutely identical trips in terms of route and rush hour/non rush hour when you say 'sometimes they charge, sometimes they don't'? Because that is clearly a factor.
posted by Brockles at 7:48 AM on May 10, 2017
The reason I say this, is the toll road near where I used to live had a rush hour premium (7-9am, 4-7pm) so the drivers may only bother asking for the extra on the rush hour ones.
posted by Brockles at 7:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Brockles at 7:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Okay, sounds like they were just awkward conversations because I didn't understand what was going on.
Thanks for your responses all.
posted by chmmr at 11:42 PM on May 10, 2017
Thanks for your responses all.
posted by chmmr at 11:42 PM on May 10, 2017
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posted by DarlingBri at 2:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]